Method and apparatus for the measurement of radiant energy



a Y G R E N E T N A I D A R F O T N B M E R U a: A E M E H T R O F T. VOLOCHINE METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 15, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l H, WM. "1r. VOLOCHINE 2,3

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF RADIANT ENERGY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, 1958 .metals or alloys.

I been made, tor the measurement oi thermioenergy, oi thermo-electric coupim having the well-mown property of transforming into electric energy, the thermic energy tailing upon the junction between two difl'erent' It is also lmown to connect several junctions in series or parallel and to dispose them alternately on opposite faces of an apparatus, in such manner that the said apparatus gives indications depending upon the diderence at temperature between the two faces.

The apparatus or this type, hitherto known, have but a limited sensitiveness, as the number oi active junctions is reduced by reason or the construction oi the apparatus.

Moreover, the known apparatus are unstable, as the smallest variations of the surrounding temperature between the two faces of the apparatus due for example to more currents of air, will cause oscillations of the pointer or other part of the galvanometer or like indicating instrument which is combined with the thermo-electric battery;

otherwise stated, the stability of the zero of the apparatus is not assured.

The present invention has for its object to proe, Paris, 1 Property matoman is, rare, serial v wmbell' 1%,

u my, to,

(m. rs-srr) vide an improved method and apparatus for the absolute measurement of a thermic energy, even though weak, and for a very exact comparison between two thermic energies, which energy or energies may be radiant energies or may be pro-- duced by other energies, electric for instance, which are transformed into thermic energies.

The method according to the invention consists in utilizing a metallic radiation receiver having two radiation absorbing surfaces each constitutot temperature between the two absorbing sur- Q faces of the receiver. The said measuring device preferably consists oi thermo-electric couples which are mounted in series and/or in mallel and of which the successive Junctions are alternateLv located so as to be subjected to the thermic surface and by 1 energy received by one absorbing the otherof the receiver.

According to one particular embodiment'of the invention, the receiver consists of an assemblage of double wedge-shaped metallic blades, and the thermoqelectric couples consist of thin elements which are soldered together and are mounted in zigzag between the said blades from which they; are electrically insulated, so that the junctions are situated alternately in the deep and narrow recesses provided between the said blades on either face of the receiver.

According to a further embodiment, the thermo-electric couples consist of elements of metal 110 strips which are connected in zigzag shape by soldered joints, in such manner that said elements will constitute wedge shaped projections defining between them deep and narrow slots adapted to absorb the radiant energy.

Owing to these arrangements the number of junctions on each face of the receiving device is greatly increased per unit am (for instance for an area of one square centimetre, the number of junctions may exceed several hundred, while with the Mom apparatus, the number oi Juncing an absolute black body, exposing one oi said suriaces to the radiation to be measured and determining the dlflerence of temperature between the surface exposed to the radiation and the other absorbing surface of the radiation receiver.

According to the invention the absorbing suriaees iorming a black body of the radiation receiver are formed with deep narrow slots or like recesses separated from each other by reflecting pardtions growing thinner towards their outer ends where they terminate in very sharp edges, the ratio oil the width of said slots or like receases to their depth being such that the incident radiation is substantially entirely absorbed.

The invention has also for its object to provide an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention, this apparatus comprising a radiation receiver having two absorbing ruriaces oi the type described, and a measuring device which serves to determine the diii'erence tions does not exceed a few dozen).

This advantage, combined with the use of absolute black bodies, gives a great sensitiveness to the apparatus as all the radiant energy is absorbed and as for a given mass of thermo-electric battery, the thermo-electric forces which are produced are proportional to the number oi active junctions.

Moreover, the perfect stability of zero is obtained by the following arrangements:

On the one hand, the active elements connected by the junctions of high heat conductivity are embedded in a considerable mass, and the junctions project from both sides of the same,

And on the other hand, the apparatus consisting of the energy receiving device and of the measuring device, is arranged in a central aperture of a body having a considerable mass, consisting of copper or the like, which is a good conductor oi heat, and the two sets at Junctions are located on opposite faces oi the same, the whole apparatus being symmetrical with reference to the middle plane. parallel to the said faces.

By reason of these considerable masses, of

high heat conductivity, the active elements, including the two sets of junctions, are brought to and maintained at the surrounding temperature, and the variations of this temperature will act symmetrically upon both faces of the device, so that they will have no effect upon the zero of the apparatus.

Moreover, owing to theconsiderable mass, the thermic energy which is received will be dissipated very rapidly, and thus there will be no ac-= cumulation of heat, and the apparatus will practically indicate the instantaneous energy received, with its variations, and the pointer will remain fixed and stable, if the energy received is constant. Furthermore, the position of equilibrium is very rapidly attained.

By giving suitable and exact dimensions to the parts of the radiation receiver, a proportionality will be obtained, which subsists within very wide limits, between the intensity of the incident radiation and the difierence of temperature which is established between the hot and cold junctions.

The intensity of the incident radiated energy can be measured in absolute units by comparing the difference of temperature produced by the radiation, with the one resulting from an electric heating; preferably, the ratio between the effect of the radiation and the efiect of the heating current is determined once for all by means of a source of radiation.

Further characteristics will be set forth in the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which are given solely by way of example:

Fig. 1 is a partial diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of the invention comprising a pile of blades of double wedge-shaped cross-section.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of a complete apparatus comprising a pile of the type shown in Fig. 1, part of the cover being broken away.

Fig. 2a. is a horizontal section through the head oi the apparatus shown in Fig. 2; and Fig. 2b is a diag in conventional form indicating the heating circuit designed to be connected with the terminals iii and iii of Fig. 2 and the measuring circuit designed to be connected with the terminals iii and it of the same figure.

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of a modification in which the thermo-electric couples have the form of bandswhich are folded in zigzag shape and constitute themselves the blacir body.

Fig. i is a cross-section on the line i-ii of Fig. 5, of an apparatus comprising an assembly of the type represented in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a corresponding front view, with parts brolren away.

Fig. 6 is a section and a side view similar to Fig. t but on the opposite side.

Fig. 7 is a partial cross-section on the line it-ii of Fig. 5, on a larger scale.

Fig. ii is a view of the assemblage of the thermoelectric couples, before mounting the electric heating resistances, on the same scale as Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a corresponding side view.

Fig. 10 is a front view, in development, of one of the bands which is to be folded in zigzag form.

Fig. 11 is a lengthwise section on the line iIl-ii' of Fig. 10.

in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the radia: tion receiver consists of a number of blades i comisting preferably of a metal which is proof against the action of air and moisture, such a platinum or stainless nickel steel.

The said blades I comprise a central part whicl has parallel faces and is extended by wedge shaped upper end portions terminating in a ver; sharp edge 2 in order that the reflection upoi this edge may be practically neglected. The sail blades form between them the slots or recesse 3 and i which are very narrow and deep. I should be noted that in reality the said slots 0 recesses are much deeper and narrower than 1 shown in the drawings, as the distance betweei the edges 2 of the blades I is only about 0.1 mrr while the depth of the slots is 5 to 10 mm. an

even more.

The thermo-electric couples are situated be tween the blades I and are suitably insulate electrically from the said blades by the insula tion 5. The thermo-electric couples consist 0 thin fiiiform elements 6 and 7 arranged in zig zag and connected together by soldered joint 3 and 9 which are situated alternately in th slots 3 and l on the two opposite faces of th radiation receiver.

The elements it and l consist alternately c two different metals or alloys, for instance 0 manganin and constantan, and should be ver fine.

The thermoelectric couples situated betwee the difierent blades I are connected in serie as represented, or in parallel, by connections ii In order to render possible an absolute radia tion measurement, means for electric heatin are provided. Such means consist of two inde pendent heating devices It and it which are lo cated in the slots ii and i of the radiation re ceiver. By an electric heating of the wire Hi, i is possible to produce a calorific efifect equal t the effect due to the radiation, and thus to meas ure the intensity of the radiation in electri units. Another possible means consists in oper ating the heating device it: while the radiatio is striking the apparatus on its other face, s that there will be no difierence of temperatul between the successive junctions.

The entire device above described is dispose in the central aperture Iii (Fig. 2) of a metalli housing I'I formed by a large mass which is good conductor of heat and consists of coppe for example. The said mass is formed for er ample by a circular plate portion comprising 2 its periphery and on both of its faces a project ing rim on each of which is secured a cover I also pierced with an aperture I9 registering wit the aperture Iii so as to form between the plai portion and the covers two spaces adapted i receive on the one hand the contact-pieces i and El which are connected to the IESPECtli ends of the set of wires 6, I connected in serii and on the other hand a contact-piece 22 whic is common to the two heating wires Hi, It an two contact-pieces 23 and 2 each of which connected at the other end of one of the wire Hi, It. The piece ii is extended, in the examp illustrated, by a stem 25 containing the cor ductors 26, 21, 2B, 29, 30 which are respective connected to the contact-pieces til, 2!, 22, 2 fi l, these being insulated from the body I'l. Tl conductor 26 is connected to a terminal 3 through a switch 32. The conductor 27 is co: nected directly to a second terminal 33. Tl common conductor 28 leads to a terminal 3 and either of the conductors 2d and fill may i connected, through a switch 3!), to a fourth te; initial 36.

Between the terminals 3! and 33 is taken the electric tension produced by the thermo-electric couples. The tension of the heating current is applied to the terminals M and i6 and the switch 35 serves to supply this tension to either one of the two wires it, i5. As indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 2b, the current produced between the terminals 3! and 33 may be measured by any suitably sensitive device including a milliammeter, millivoltmeter or galvanometer, in an amplifying circuit such, for example, as that shown in U. S. Patent No. 1,820,212 issued August 25, 1931, to P. S. Bauer. The heating circuit shown in Fig. -2b includes a source of current such as a battery, means for regulating the current such as an adjustable resistance and means for measuring the current supply, which means may be similar to that just described.

The device above described will absorb about 99% of the incident radiation. If in an accurate instrument it is desired to obtain a much greater absorption, this can be efiected by turning the instrument by 90 with reference to the direction of incidence of the radiation and by placing in iront of the edges of the blades a reflecting metallic surface slightly inclined to the planes containing the edges of the blades. The rays which fall directly upon this slightly inclined surface are reflected by this latter into the spaces between the blades. This will appreciably increase the volume of the space which fulfills the function of an absolute black body.

Figs. 3 to 11 represent a modification in which the thermo-electric couples and the radiation receiver are closely connected. The thermo-electric couples are made up of strips 3?, 3B which consist alternately of two difierent metals or alloys, these being connected by soldered joints lid, W so as to form a band (Figs. 10 and 11). To each strip, at its middle part, and on each face, is secured by soldering or otherwise, a metal plate M or M which is a good conductor of heat and electricity. The device thus obtained is folded in zigzag form, as shown in Fig. 3, so that the plates M will be adjacent the plates d2 of the next strip. Between the plates of the successive plies are interposed thin metallic or other strips til, ti having reflecting surfaces and each of which is insulated from the adjacent plates by two layers of insulation t5 and M.

As will be noted, the strips 37, dd form, in this construction, the Wedge-shaped partitions and the plates it, it divide the spaces into two halfspaces whose width is thus still further reduced with reference to the depth, and this increases the possibility of absorption of radiant energy, and provides for an entirely perfect black body.

Moreover, the plates ll, t2 form a considerable metallic mass, and on the other hand, owing to their very smallelectric resistance, they greatly reduce the resistance of the bands forming the thermo-electric couples.

For the construction of an apparatus, several assemblies E, E, E (Fig. 3) of this type are juxtaposed, placing between them insulating layers M (Fig. 5).

The electric heating wires shown in the preceding construction are here replaced by two resistance strips M, M which are situated, with electric insulation, in the spaces between the thermoelectric devices E E E This whole construction is mounted (Figs. 4, 5, 6) with the interposition of electric insulation, in a metal frame it which is fitted into an aperture it in the end wall of a case or housing ll and into the central aperture It of a cover it which is secured by screws or otherwise to the case to which consists of a material which is the best possible conductor of heat, for example of copper. The said case is extended, for example,

- by a stem 25, as in the device shown in Fig. 2.

The different zigzag parts of the conducting band on which the junctions 38 and 40 are disposed in series and in alternate positions are themselves connected, for example, in series, as shown at 5| and 52 (Figs. 8 and 9). ends of the device are terminated, for instance, by two terminals 53 and 54 (Figs. 4, 5, 8, 9) which serve the same purpose as the terminals 20 and 2| of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2. To

these terminals which project from the frame through an aperture 55, are soldered the conductors 26, 21 leading to the terminals 3|, 33 (Fig. 2) of a base. Connections (not shown) start from this point and lead to the reading and/or recording apparatus, which may obviously be of any suitable type.

The resistance strips 36 and iii are connected with a common terminal 56, and their other ends are connected to two other terminals 51, B8. The terminal 56 (Figs. 4 and 5) extends into the opening of the frame it), and to this end the common conductor 28 is secured. The terminals 57 and 58 extend into the cut-out parts 59, 50 (Figs. 5 and 6) of the frame 50, and are secured to the conductors 29, 30 which are connected, through the switch 35 (Fig. 5), with one pole of a battery or other source of current whose other pole is connected with the conductor 28, thus providing for the electric heating of either one of the strips d8, d9, which will then heat the corresponding junctions 39 or ll), thus producing a difference of temperature between the two sets of joints resulting in an electric tension in each thermo-couple giving rise at the terminals Ell, E l to a tension which is the sum of the unit tensions.

In the two embodiments herein described, before using the apparatus, it is necessary to make an adjustment consisting in the zero adjustment of the indicating or registering device. For this purpose, the two wires Hi, It or strips 48, i9 having the same resistance, which is exactly measured, are subjected to the same voltage. Hence these strips will heat the junctions and, if necessary, the exact positioning of these resisting wires or strips and/or their section is varied (which is an easy matter in the case of bands) until the pointer or other part of the indicating or recording device remains at zero.

when the apparatus is thus adjusted to zero, it will remain in this position irrespectively of the surrounding temperature, as the mass of the body I! and of the housing 59 (in the second em bodiment), which are good conductors of heat, provide for an immediate distribution by equal parts, in the two sets of junctions, of the action due to temperature variations.

In these conditions, it appears that it one face of the apparatus is subjected to a beam or heat The two i zero oi the pointer oi hi 1;

ceived and finally the ahaolute value or thia radiant energy. It la alao newbie to replace the radiant energy by electric enerw an an to oht the same deflection. I

- The apparatua above described are adapted ior numeroua applicationa.

They provide for the direct meacurcment, in absolute mtude. oi the aolar radiation, whether direct or didused hy a-aiven oi the heavens. and in general, for all other it c radiation They permit, indirectly, oi reaulatina a thennlc radiation to any desired value oi eneray. and in consequence of reaulatina the temperature oi the source oi radiation. It in poasible, for exlc. to regulate the temperature of a furnace to any desired value; for this P rp se, it la simply neceasary to electrically heat one of the wirea or banda to desired temperature which can be easily regulated by adjusting the corrcspondinw electric current, and then to encore the other face of the apparatus to the radiation at the furnace in the aiven ccnditiona or dietance, and to continue the heating oi the iurnace until the voltage between the terminala iii and at 2) i'alla to were. la ahown hr the re to a device con nected with these terminala.

Ohviously, the raid invention in not limited to the embodiments herein deacrihed and reprcaented, which are aiven aoiely by way oi conic. Havina now deccrihed claim as new and deaire to accrue hr Lettera ent in:

1. In an apparatus for the inccmcnt at radiant energy by meaaureinent oi the electric current produced by thermocounleo in reawonae to a didcrence oi temture hetween two ah" sorbina suriacea, a radiation receiver having two absorbing surfaces iacina opnoaite directiona and each formed with we-ahaoed nroiectiom hav ina reflecting surfaces and tina in chain edacs, said projcctiona lea between them dcen narrow recesses, and thermocounleo the aucceasive junctions of which are alttely directed within recesses oi the one oi the other of said absorbing auriaoea.

2. In an apparatua tor the nieaaurenoent oi radiant energy by mecrnent or the v current produced by thocouplea in reanonco to a dlilerence of temperature Wtwcen the cancer rive iunctiona thereoi', a ation receiver in cludina a central portion formed. by a mate oi material which in a wood conductor oi heat and two oppoeite i oi which are provided with invention what Ti i at aaoaaaa wcdao chaired hroiectiona rciiectina' aurteatina in them edc o, raid proiectiono leaving hetween th deep narrow rcand therinccounleo or which the oucceaare junctions are altelw dioncced within rcccaaea oi the one and of the other of and iacca and the portions intermediate aaid iunctiona are added in caid central body.

3. in apnaratua aa w -1 .in claim 3, a houaina formed by larcea'ood heat condu mane provided with a cenh'al aperture in which in htted aald radiation receiver, the whole emhly heina etric relatively to a e.

d. an apnaratua for the meamn'ement oi ant eneray, comprlalna a radiation receiver havinn two ahaorbina euriawo i'a oppoeite directiona and each formed with wcdae-ehaped proiectiona having reiicctlna auriacea and tina in calc e, raid proiectiona leavina between them deep narrow recccceo, thermocounlea the aucoeaaive junctlona of which are alternately dianoaed within receecee oi the one and oi the other oi aaid ahaorhlna amiacea, electric reaiat ancea in aaid reccsaea, mcana for aelectivcly euph i'lna' electric heating current to the reeistancea corrmnondina to either one of caid ahaorlcinw rurmeana ior ineacuiing the electric current produced hr diiterencc oi temneratln-e between the eucceaaive .iunctiona or acid thcrzno-couplw. meana for varying the enenwy oi raid heatina current and an inatrument tor meaeiu'lna thia eneray.

in an ap raratua for the measurement of rachant encray hy meaauremcnt oi the electric current produced in reaponae to a diiierence of temper-attire between successive iunctlona of thcrmodeep narrow aroovea hoimded at their inner ends or acid hitennediate member-c, aaid aroovea bcina adapted to ahsorh any incident radiation.

6. in an anparatua as claimed in claim 5, metallic reflecting platen partitionina each of said eroovea to, at leact, two narrower grooves.

7. a method for the measurement oi radiant eneray hr the or a radiation receiver having two radiation ahaorhing auriacea facing opposite directiona, which eonaista in enacting one of the said ouidaceo to the radiation to be measured. electrically heating the other of said aurfacea to obtain halance of temperature between said two arrriacea and measuring the electric eneray noccacarw for maintaining thia balance of temacrature.

THEODURE" venue iiilll II. 

